La Famiglia

On Sunday, the Italian side of my family (My Mom's side) got to meet Nadia.  My Aunt Sandy and Uncle Bob, along with my Uncle Lou and Aunt Beverly, hosted a "Welcome Nadia to the Family" Party.  Our family is known for large get-togethers with lots of food and fun and this gathering was no different. 

The first to get their hands on Nadia is my Mom's older brother, "Uncle Dick".  Most little kids don't warm up this easily to my Uncle's "charms", but Nadia seemed to think he was pretty great!

My cousins Jill and David and their 3 kids joined the party and got some Nadia time as well.

My Mom's sister, Aunt Sandy, enjoys some one-on-one time with the guest of honor.

Gina gets the job of putting sunscreen on Nadia.  Nadia loves having her skin stroked and touched so she was loving this attention from her Momma's cousin.

Uncle Lou, the youngest of the DeAngelis siblings, gets to bring Nadia into the pool first.

But from that point on, Nadia was in high demand to be held and played with in the pool by many others.

Joey gets to take her for a "spin" in the water. (This girl still hasn't met a stranger and holds out her arms to be held and loved!)

Jessica and Nadia enjoying some cousin time.

Marin is always ready for her turn to hold Nadia and play with her!

My cousin Gina's son, Jack (who is also my godson) gets some lovin' from Nadia.

The Parker kiddos--David (who shaved his head for a big baseball tournament) and his sisters Katie and Mary vie for turns with little missie moo.

                                      My cousin Rick hanging out with his girls in the deep end.

Michael James, Matthew, and Michael Kristopher enjoying the shallow end.

Daddy and his big girl.

Time for some fun on the slide!

Woo Hoo!!!  Watch how fast I can go!

Adam, my nephew, enjoying himself giving my boys a hard time.  Go get 'em Adam!

Now for the diving board stunts!  Joseph has lots of practice since it's his Grandpop's pool!

But Adam steals the show with his flips!

No family gathering is complete without a little "friendly" competition.  Uncle Lou thought he had "stacked" his relay team by putting mostly boys on it.

However, my Mom knows that Girl Power usually wins in the end.  Notice my uncle's hand about to reach over to hold back Adam at the beginning of the race?  That is why I use the word "friendly competition" quite loosely!!! :)

The Sisters getting some poolside chat time.  We miss you Shelley!  We're not the "Pauli Girls" without you!!!

Doug, John and Uncle Dick waiting for the food to be served. :) 

Gina and her youngest, John, enjoying the sights in the pool.

                           Joey, Uncle Bob (notice his awesome Penn State shirt!) and my Dad catching up.

Sisters enjoying a rare, quiet moment together.

Aunt Sandy, my Mom, Aunt BB, Uncle Lou, John, and Uncle Bob marvelling over the gathering of such precious children and family bonds that have stayed strong from generation to generation.

And last but not least...the presentation of the cake!  After Nadia had one tiny taste of the icing, she dove in with both hands!

Um...I'm thinking they never had cake in the orphanage.  What do you think???

Thank you again to my wonderful family for hosting this amazing party for Nadia.  You all have been such a great support and inspiration to me in how to love unconditionally and to show by example that we always need to  have a place in our hearts and homes for those less fortunate than we are.  That lesson was taught from my Nana D (the matriarch of this great family) on down through her children. So even though Nana didn't get to meet Nadia here on earth, she is very much a part of her adoption and the love this family has already shown for a 2yr. old  orphan from halfway across the world who is now just as much a part of this family as everyone else is. 

There is ALWAYS room for more in a family like ours!